Your first peek at the new Teriyaki Madness at the Metropolitan

Teriyaki Madness will open its first uptown Charlotte location this Sunday, and will celebrate its grand opening on Monday.

The new fast-casual restaurant – located in the Metropolitan shopping center – will be the Denver, Colo.-based chain’s second location in Charlotte, with the other one on West Mallard Creek Church Road in the University area.

We got to check the place out Thursday night and get a sneak peek for you. Here’s what we found:

The look: Teriyaki Madness aims to give “an authentic Seattle Teriyaki House experience.” It is designed with a red, black, white and gray color scheme. Seating options include a mixture of modern, high wooden tables, and lower tables with both booth and chair seating available. The restaurant is sleek, but still casual, allowing you the freedom to enjoy a sit-down meal or take it to go.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

A look at the dining room inside the new Teriyaki Madness at Metropolitan.

Brianna Hamblin bhamblin@charlotteobserver.com

The food: To order, you step up to the counter and customize your own bowl or plate with your choice of five styles of chicken, beef, or tofu, with rice or noodles as a base and the option to add a side. “All veggies” is another vegetarian option. The soy sauce and a majority of the menu is also gluten-free so that everyone can join in on the teriyaki goodness. The restaurant also offers 10 house-made sauces.

We got the opportunity to try out some of the signature entree items, which are served in plastic black bowls that are easy to pop a top on to take to go or save for later. My personal favorite was their spicy chicken, served atop a mix of savory cooked vegetables and white rice. Owner Ken Fay says that the new restaurant tries to make it so “what comes out of the kitchen actually looks like the pictures.”

Their high-tech utensil gives you the choice to show off your chopstick skills or use a fork with a flip of the hand. The “chork” has been named “Most Innovative Eating Utensil” by QSR Magazine and the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

Teriyaki Madness’ innovative “chork” utensil.

Brianna Hamblin bhamblin@charlotteobserver.com

Bowls and plates range from $7.49-$10.99; appetizers include egg rolls ($2.29), edamame ($2.99), crab rangoon ($4.99) and chicken potstickers ($3.99). “Little samurai meals” for kids are $5.49 and include a drink. The full menu is online here.

Teriyaki Madness is a walk-up-order fast-casual restaurant.

Brianna Hamblin bhamblin@charlotteobserver.com

Finally, here’s an incentive to get there early: The first five people to order a teriyaki bowl on Sunday during the grand opening will receive free teriyaki bowls for an entire year. The next 20 will receive free bowls for a month. From June 11-13, all bowls will only be $5. Better get in line quick.